Author: Pervaiz Mughal

He emphasised that negotiations remained centred on regional stability, de-escalation and economic cooperation rather than military or defence capabilities, signalling a diplomatic emphasis on restraint By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the issue of ballistic missiles was never part of any negotiating agenda, firmly pushing back against speculation during a joint press conference in Islamabad with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where both leaders sought to project unity on regional diplomacy and expanding bilateral cooperation. Speaking alongside the visiting Iranian president, Sharif said he could state “without hesitation” that discussions on ballistic missiles were not included…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the next phase of negotiations between the United States and Iran is likely to be more complex, even as he maintained that a comprehensive agreement remains achievable if momentum from the current diplomatic track is sustained. Speaking in an interview with an Arab news outlet, Dar said Iran was expected to reduce the level of its uranium enrichment under the emerging understanding, while rejecting earlier US proposals that had sought the removal of enriched uranium stockpiles from Iranian territory. He suggested that both sides had…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is expected to see relief in petroleum prices in the coming days as global oil markets soften following easing tensions linked to the Iran conflict, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Friday. Speaking to Geo News, the petroleum minister said the government would soon announce “good news” for consumers regarding fuel prices, adding that recent geopolitical tensions, including the Iran-US conflict, had already put pressure on household budgets. He said the government was committed to passing on any benefit from falling international oil prices directly to the public, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz…

Aurangzeb says Pakistan has made comprehensive efforts to create an enabling environment for export-led growth under renewed economic policy direction By Pervaiz Mughal ISAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday that Pakistan’s economy was firmly moving from stabilisation towards growth, as he elaborated on the federal budget proposed on Friday for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27. “The economy is moving in the right direction […] we will now move from economic stability to growth,” Aurangzeb said while addressing a post-budget press conference, flanked by Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan on Friday, according to Arab media reports citing diplomatic sources. Sources within Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that a potential US-Iran understanding may be concluded in Geneva, with Pakistan reportedly present in some capacity during the process. The reports also suggested that meetings between US and Iranian delegations could take place in Geneva as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries. No official confirmation of the visit has yet been issued by Pakistan or Iran. The developments come amid a period…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Xinhua News Agency, hosted a commemorative seminar titled “75 Years of Friendship: China-Pakistan Joint Contributions to the Global Governance Initiative and CPEC” at the Marriott Hotel Islamabad. The seminar brought together federal ministers, senior diplomats, scholars, media representatives and practitioners from Pakistan and China to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and reflect on the evolving trajectory of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, extended felicitations to Pakistan and China on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and reaffirmed…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has integrated herbal and natural medicines into the national healthcare system during a two-day seminar on research, processing and drug development held at the COMSTECH Secretariat on Tuesday. Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the seminar and exhibition as chief guest. Addressing the inaugural session, he appreciated COMSTECH for bringing together experts, regulators, industry leaders and policymakers on a single platform to discuss the integration of traditional medicine into the healthcare system. Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. Iqbal Choudhary said traditional systems of medicine, including Unani medicine, represented…

By Pervaiz Mughal RAWALPINDI: Pakistan made a confident start to their three-match ODI series against Australia on Saturday, sealing a five-wicket win in Rawalpindi after an all-round performance shaped decisively by debutant Arafat Minhas and a composed middle-order stand between Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori. Chasing a modest target of 201, the hosts reached the finish with 45 balls remaining, wrapping up the chase in controlled fashion after briefly wobbling early in the innings. A debut to remember belonged to Arafat Minhas, who earlier claimed a five-wicket haul before returning to strike the winning runs with a clean six, underlining…

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is entering a new phase of cooperation under CPEC 2.0 focusing on agriculture, IT, AI, mining By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described Pakistan’s relationship with China as one of the most “reliable and time-tested” partnerships in the world, saying it had consistently withstood shifting geopolitical pressures and stood firm through decades of regional and global change. Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, the prime minister said the friendship between the two countries represented a rare example of sustained strategic cooperation. He…

By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hosted a special breakfast reception in Islamabad on Thursday in honour of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, marking his first official visit to Pakistan. The gathering was presented as a moment of continuity in a long-standing relationship between the state and the Aga Khan family, rooted in development cooperation, philanthropy and institutional support across key social sectors. The Prime Minister welcomed the prospect of expanded collaboration with the Aga Khan University, praising its sustained contribution to medical education, research and healthcare delivery in the country. He noted that the institution…